Interferon Therapy in Hodgkin's Disease

Abstract

The treatment of a case of Hodgkin''s disease (lymphocyte predominance, stage IV B) with exogenous i.m. interferon therapy was described. B symptoms disappeared, diseased nodes and pulmonary infiltrations decreased in size and laboratory values normalized. Clinical improvement was associated with increased mitogenic responsiveness of the patient''s lymphocytes towards various stimuli in vitro. After almost half a year''s treatment tumor progression and a decreased mitogenic response were again observed. Interferon treatment was then abandoned and combined cytostatic courses were instituted. Partial remission was achieved after 6 mo. of cytostatic therapy, i.e., 1 yr after the start of treatment.